Ministers responsible for energy and mining across Canada wrap up meetings in Iqaluit

Canada says it wants to increase mining and development in the North, as discussed at a conference in Iqaluit this week, but Nunavut is calling for better infrastructure to make it happen.

Ministers responsible for energy and mining from across the country met in Iqaluit for the Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference from Aug. 12 to 14.

Delegates from across Canada, except Ontario and Saskatchewan, came to an agreement that natural resources industries need to be more competitive globally while also considering environmental sustainability and ecosystems in the Arctic that are vulnerable to climate change.

“Every time you come to the North and you’re struck by the potential of this land,” said Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Amarjeet Sohi. “Not only in the area of natural resources such as minerals and the mining activity that is going on in this part of the North, but also the potential of the people.”

The federal government said it will release a minerals and metals plan in 2019 with a promise to increase mining in Canadian provinces and territories. Sohi said the department will consult with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit leaders on the plan later this year.